Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase — a rumored MLB trade deadline target — has been placed on paid leave in connection with a sports-gambling investigation, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Monday. Clase is reportedly on leave through Aug. 31, per The Athletic's Zack Meisel.

Major League Baseball's trade deadline is scheduled for next Thursday, which means teams have less than a week to get their midsummer shopping done. The moves have already started, as the Mariners recently acquired Josh Naylor from the Diamondbacks while the Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon in a trade with the Rockies.

The Kansas City Royals are fighting to stay alive in the playoff mix after making it to October last season and are now reportedly willing to trade assets.

The Diamondbacks continued to make deals Saturday, trading outfielder Randal Grichuk to the Royals in exchange for right-handed reliever Andrew Hoffmann, who made his big league debut with the Royals in May.

After exchanging farewell hugs with his now former D’backs teammates, Grichuk brimmed with anticipation on his way to the airport. He was joining the Royals ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium. He was embarking on a new path.